Zebre edge out Bristol 20-17 to open their account in European Challenge Cup

Zebre 20-17 Bristol Bears, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Scorecard

Carlos Canna kicked the decisive penalty goal in the final minute as Zebre edged out Bristol Bears 20-17 in their European Rugby Challenge Cup encounter at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday.

The win also meant the Italian side had their revenge over Bristol after losing to them 43-22 at Ashton Gate in the previous round as they move to the third position in Pool 4 while Pat Lam's side after claiming a losing bonus point are at second behind La Rochelle.

The first points in the game came in the 16th minute when fullback Tom Pincus crossed over followed by a conversion from Callum Sheedy. Zebre's response came in the 34th minute and it was Canna, who dotted down before adding the extras as the scores were levelled 7-7.

A penalty goal by Carlo Canna with less than a minute left on the clock earned @ZebreRugby ?? victory over @BristolBears ??

Match report ?? https://t.co/6CX6JIevFW#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/rrDdNow7Kn

— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) October 20, 2018

The momentum once again swung towards the host as their second try came in the 39th minute through flanker Jimmy Tuivaiti that was improved by Canna but the visitors ensured the scores were levelled heading into the break as Pincus touched down for the second time in the game.

After the third quarter went without a point, Canna and Sheedy traded penalties as the scores continued to be levelled 17-17 as the final 10 minutes kicked-off.

Despite, a sin-bin to Luhandre Luus in the 76th minute, Canna kicked the three-pointer in the 80th minute to help Zebre complete a 20-17 victory.

??| "It's extremely frustrating, we shouldn't be sitting there with a loss but we only have ourselves to blame."

Pat Lam frustrated by @ERChallengeCup defeat ?? pic.twitter.com/jfRJoOjiIM

— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) October 20, 2018